Alocal university educator has put down her pen after more than three decades in the field.
UniSA Mount Gambier Campus education coordinator Deb Hosking retired recently, having taught early childhood, primary and secondary education degrees for the last 12 years and being instrumental in establishing the courses in the Blue Lake city.
Mrs Hosking has had a 100% employment rate of more than 100 graduates over the last 12 years, most of whom are now working locally.
“I came on board in 2012 and my role entailed setting up the teaching degrees here and in Whyalla and obviously teaching in the programs and working through that for the last 11 years,” she said.
“The beauty here is that I have been a teacher for 20 years so I had lots of networks so in terms of trying to find staff and getting schools to support us with placement, there were lots of people I could call on.
“Schools down here and teachers down here have been amazing.
“Our sites, schools, childcare centres and kindys are so supportive of our students because they are their future employees but they also know that our students are good so they are keen to support them with placements and they employ them all too.
“I will miss the staff, the students and just the connections we have with the schools and the childcare centres and kindys and the relationships that I have built up with all those people.”
Mrs Hosking previously taught at Allendale East Area School, Tantanoola Primary School and Suttontown Primary School, was deputy principal at McDonald Park Primary School and worked at TAFE teaching Certificate III and IV in School Based Education Support.
“As my son says, ‘Mum you have not ever really left school’ and he is right actually,” she said.
“I was the kid that at five years old lined up my toys and my brother to play schools so I think I was always destined to be a teacher.
“Sometimes the students that I had in reception turn up here so that is the absolute full circle.
“We have even had a couple of our graduates come and work here at the uni so that’s really cool too to see them back teaching the future teachers and educators.
“I think every year is memorable. Every year we have a graduation in May and see the next lot of students walk across the stage and make their way out into the wide world of education; that’s the highlight for me.
“The beauty of our programs is because they are small we see the students from day one through to the end of fourth year when they’re finished and just seeing that growth in them as teachers but also as people is just amazing.”
UniSA Mount Gambier Campus regional manager Ian McKay described Mrs Hosking as
“one of those special colleagues who always has time for everyone.”
“We have all appreciated her caring support and encouragement for her fellow team members at our campus,” he said.
“Our regional schools highly regard our local education degrees. This is in no small part due to Deb’s dedicated leadership in establishing and developing the local programs.
“Above all else, Deb cares passionately about the students for whom she was responsible, and she has touched the future through her positive impact on future generations. There can be no higher praise for a teacher.
“Deb will be greatly missed by UniSA Mount Gambier Campus staff and students, and we wish her a wonderful retirement.”
